neugass



Jan. 24, 1956 E. A. Nl-:UGAss 2,731,940

PANEL AND DIAL ASSEMBLIES Filed April 13, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l .g Z f 6INVENTOR.

50W/N NEUGHSS Jan. 24, 1956 E. A. Nl-:UGAss 2,731,940

PANEL AND DIAL ASSEMBLIES Filed April 13, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. EDW/N A NEUGASS.

/wf/yw ATTORNEY.

UnitedStates Patent O PANEL AND DIAL ASSEMBLHES Edwin A. Neugass, PortChester, N. Y. Application April 13, 1953, Serial No. 348,343

11 Claims. (Cl. 116-124) The present invention relates generally topanel and dial assemblies, and is particularly related to' dials and thelike for connection to control devices, such as, valves or switches, andwhich are mounted on a panel to schematically show the condition of asystem having the control devices embodied therein.

It is common practice in aircraft and the like to provide control panelshaving schematic layouts of the fuel or electrical systems thereon. Insuch panels, the control knobs connected to the valves or switches ofthe fuel and electrical systems, respectively, are positioned at thelocations on the schematic layouts corresponding to the junctures of theactual systems, and the position of each knob is intended to showgraphically the conditions or flow paths actually existing at thecorresponding juncture of the system. However, the existing knobsprovided for the purpose described above project forwardly from theassociated panel so that the markings on the knob for showing continuityof the flow system or circuit are not in the same plane as the portionsof the schematic layout on the face of the panel and parallax results.Further, it has been ditlicult to obtain satisfactory illumination ofthe continuity markings from within the interior of the conventionalknobs, with the result that the portions of the schematic layout on thepanel are more intensely illuminated than the continuity markingscarried by the knobs.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dial,particularly for use on a panel having a schematic layout of thedescribed character, wherein the dial and panel are co-planar to avoidany parallax.

Another object is to provide a dial of the described character havingmembers extending therefrom for manual actuation and wherein suchmembers are positioned and arranged to minimize the interference thereofwith viewing of the continuity markings on the dial or the adjacentportions of the schematic layout on the associated panel.

Another object is to provide a dial of the described character forassociation with an internally illuminated panel, and wherein the dialis constructed to be illuminated internally with an intensitysubstantially the same as that of the panel.

Still another object is to provide adial of the described character withan arrangement for connection to the related control device, such as, avalve or switch, so that manual rotation of the dial causescorresponding rotation of the related control device, and wherein theconnecting arrangement separatesconveniently to permit removal of therelated dial with the panel Asupporting the latter.

In accordance with the present invention, the above, and other objectsand advantages appearing in the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments, are achieved by providing circular recesses inthe front face of a panel having a transparent core, a translucent layersuperimposed on at least the front surface of the core and an opaqueouter layer superimposed on the translucent layer, with such circularrecesses extending into the transparent core and having concentriccircular openings of smaller diameter extending through the panel. Sucha ICC panel may be constructed in accordance with United States LettersPatent No. 2,518,726, to Charles N. Shlenker, issued August 15, 1950.Each dial is formed of transparent material and has a layer oftranslucent material superimposed on the front surface thereof with alayer of opaque material covering the translucent layer. The dial is ofcircular configuration tol t into the related recess of the panel sothat the front faces of the panel and dials are flush. Each dial has arelatively small diameter portion fitting rotatably in the relatedopening of the panel, and a relatively large diameter plate is connectedto the back face of the dial behind the panel to prevent removal of therelated dial from the panel. The large diameter plate is connected tothe related dial by pins extending axially through the dial from thefront and tapped into the plate. These pins are spaced from the axis ofthe dial and may be grasped for manually rotating the dial. Further, oneof the pins extends rearwardly through the related plate and is receivedin a radial slot of a coupling secured to the control device, such as, avalve or switch, associated with the dial. A suitable light sourceintroduces light into the transparent core or body of the panel, and theopaque outer layer of the panel has portions thereof cut away to denethe desired schematic layout of the associated system so that the partsof the translucent layer exposed at the cutaway portions of the opaquelayer are transilluminated to provide glareless illumination of thelayout. The light from the core of the panel enters the dial through theconfronting surfaces thereof, and the opaque layer of the dial is alsocut away, in the form of the continuity portions of the schematic layoutcarried by the dial, so that the exposed portions of the translucentlayer ofthe dial are also transilluminated to provide glarelessillumination of the portions of the schematic layout carried by thedial.

in order that the Vpresent invention may be fully understood,illustrative embodiments thereof are hereinafter described in detail andshownon the accompany- Y ing drawings, forming a part hereof, andwherein:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a panel having a schematic layoutof a fuel system thereon and provided with dials embodying the presentinvention and showing the iiow paths through associated valves;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 22 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a panel having a dial associatedtherewith and constructed in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention and Fig. 4 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale,taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to Figs. l and 2thereof, a panel lil is there illustrated. The panel 10 is preferablyformed from stock which is constructed in the manner disclosed in UnitedStates Letters Patent No. 2,518,726, to Charles N. Shlenker, issuedAugust l5, 1950, and accordingly includes a core or body 11 oftransparent preferably plastic material, for example, methylmethacrylate, a layer 12 superposed on at least the front face of thecore 11 and formed of a translucent, preferably plastic material, forexample, the class of polyvinyl or vinyl resins or materials, theirpolymers or co-polymers, such as, polyvinyl chloride, and an outer layer13 superposed on the translucent layer 12 and formed of an opaque,preferably plastic material, for example, the class of polyvinyl orvinyl resins or materials, their polymers or copolymers, such as,polyvinyl chloride. Translucent and opaque layers, similar to the layers12 and 13 described above may be provided on the rear face of the rearface of the transparent core 11. The several layers forming the stock ofpanel 10 may be bound or secured together in the manner set forth in theabove identified patent, and the panel is cut to the desired dimensionsand planform from such laminated stock. A suitable light source (notshown) is associated with the panel and operates to introduce light intothe transparent body or core 11. The layers 12 and 13 at the front ofthe panel are preferably of contrasting tones or colors, for example,the translucent layer 12 is preferably white and the opaque outer layer15 is preferably black and provided with a matte or low reflectivefinish to avoid glare or refiection of light from the front surface ofthe panel.

As seen in Fig. 2, the panel 10 is preferably mounted on a metal supportplate 14 having brackets 1S secured to the back thereof to supportvarious control devices 16, for example, valves, switches orpotentiometers and the like. The support plate 14 has a circular opening17 formed therethrough in registry with each of the control devices 16mounted behind the support plate, and the panel 10 is also formed with acircular opening 18 positioned to be concentric with each of the plateopenings 17 when the panel 10 is mounted on the plate 14. Each of theopenings 18 extending through the panel 10 is formed with a relativelylarge diameter counter-bore or circular recess 19 at the front thereof.

The dial associated with each of the control devices 16 includes acircular plate or disc 20 which is formed from the same kind of stock asthe panel 10 and hence includes a transparent core 21, a translucentlayer 22 superimposed on at least the front face of the core 21, and anopaque outer layer 23 superimposed on the translucent layer 22, with thelayers 22 and 23 preferably being white and black, respectively. Thedisc 20 has a stepped peripheral surface, as seen in Fig. 2, andincludes a relatively large diameter front portion fitting rotatably inthe related counter-bore or recess 19 of the panel 10 and a relativelysmall diameter rear portion fitting rotatably in the related opening 18.The stock from which the disc 20 is formed preferably has a thicknessgreater than the thickness of the panel 10 so that the rear surface ofthe disc is spaced rearwardly from the rear surface of the panel whenthe disc is rotatably seated in the related recess 19 and opening 18 ofthe panel.

The disc 20 is maintained in the related opening 18 and recess 19 of thepanel by a metal disc 24 -secured to the rear surface of the disc 20 andhaving a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening 18. A springwasher 25 is interposed between the metal disc 24 and the rear surfaceof the panel 10 and acts to continuously urge the disc 20 towards therear, thereby ensuring that the large diameter portion of the disc 20-seats tightly on the bottom of the recess 19 to maintain the flush orco-planar relationship of the front faces of the panel 10 and the dialdisc 20. In order to reduce the frietional resistance to rotation of thedial, the bottom of the recess 19 and the cylindrical wall of theopening 18 are undercut, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the disc 20 makescontact with the panel 1G only in the localized area indicated by thereference numeral 26.

In order to secure the metal disc 24 to the back of the plastic disc 20,the dial embodying the present invention includes two pins 2'7 and 28formed of a hard and wear resistant metal, for example, steel, andhaving a dull black finish, such as a black oxidized finish, to providea surface on the pins of low specular gloss. The pins 27 and 28 includerelatively large diameter slotted head portions and reduced diameterstems extending therefrom to form radial shoulders between the heads andstems. The pins 27 and 2S extend axially from in front of the disc 20through suitable openings 29 and 30, respectively, provided atdiametrically opposed locations in the disc 2t) and spaced from thecenter of the latter. The stems of the pins 27 and 28 are provided withthreaded portions 31 and 32, respectively, which engage in suitabletapped holes formed in the metal plate or disc 24. Washers 33 preferablyare provided between the radial shoulders of the pins 27 and 28 and thefront surface of the disc 2t).

As seen in Fig. 2, the dial embodying the present i11- vention isseparably coupled tothe related Control device 16 by an arrangementwhich includes a metal disc 34 carried by a hub 35 receiving theactuating shaft 36 of the related device 16 and secured to the actuatingshaft by a set-screw 37. The disc 34 is formed with a radial slot 3Sopening at the periphery of the disc 34, and the pin 27 is formed withan extension 39 which is preferably tapered at its end and is extendedaxially into the slot 38.

Since the pin 27 is displaced radially from the center or axis ofrotation of the disc 20 and the disc 2t? and shaft 36 are substantiallyin axial alignment, it is apparent that rotation of the dial, by manualaction on the pins 27 and 23, will cause a corresponding rotation of theactuating shaft of the related control device 16. Further, the radialplay of the pin extension 39 in the slot 38 permits the axes of thecontrol device and the corresponding dial to be somewhat out ofalignment without affecting the ease with which the parts of thecoupling may be interengaged or separated, and this tolerance makespossible the production of the panel and dials as a completed assemblywhich is installed, as a unit, on the support plate 14 having thevarious control devices mounted therebehind.

Fig. l illustrated by way of example, the use of dial assembliesembodying the present invention on a panel having the schematic layoutof a fuel system thereon, with the dials being located at the juncturesin the system where the associated valves are disposed. The letteringand the fuel ow paths appearing on the faces of the panel and the dialdisc are defined by cutting away the outer opaque layer of plasticlamination, for example, by an engraving operation, so that the exposedportions of the underlying translucent layer are in the form of thedesired lettering and fuel flow paths. Since the outer opaque layer isblack and the underlying translucent layer is white, a sharp contrast isprovided between the exposed portions of the translucent layer and thesurrounding portions of the opaque outer layer so that the lettering andflow path markings are clearly visible when viewed under ambient light.When light is admitted to the core 11 of the panel lamination, the coretransmits the light to the translucent layer 12 and the exposed portionsof the latter are transilluminated to provide glareless illumination ofthe markings on the panel 10. Further, at the edge of each opening 18receiving a dial assembly, the light passes from the transv parent coreof the panel 10 into the transparent core of the disc 20 so that theexposed portions of the translucent layer on the disc 20 are alsotransilluminated to provide glareless illumination of the flow path orother markings on the dial disc 20. If the stock from which the panel 10and disc 20 are formed has a translucent layer and an opaque layer onlyon the front surface of the transparent core, the support plate 14 andthe metal disc 24 of each dial assembly are preferably finished with apolished front surface to reflect the light tending to escape from therear surface of the core back into the latter.

Further, as seen in Fig. 2, the opaque outer layer 13 of the panelpreferably extends over the outer or front portion of the side wall ofthe recess 19, as at 40, so that light cannot escape toward the viewerthrough the space between the panel and the dial disc. In the exampleillustrated in Fig. l, the schematic layout indicates the left handmain, tip and auxiliary fuel tanks, and the right hand main, tip andauxiliary fuel tanks with the conduits or fuel lines extending fromthese tanks to tank selector valve controlled by a dial assemblyembodying this invention. The face of the disc 20 of the dial assemblyhas continuity markings thereon showing the flow paths through theassociated valve, and these continuity markings cooperate with theadjacent markings on the face of the panel to graphically show to theviewer the actual iiow paths of the fuel for the various valvepositions. In the fuel system schematically represented on the panel ofFig. l, branched fuel lines lead from the tank selector valve to on-offvalves controlling the admission of'fuel to engine No. l and engine No.2. Each of these on-oi valves has a dial assembly associated therewithwhich is generally of the same construction as that heretoforedescribed. However, the dial assemblies 41 and 42 each have opaqueshields 43 and 44 secured to the front face of the dial disc 20athereof, for example, by the pins 27a and 23a and other fasteningmembers 45, with the shields extending radially beyond the periphery ofthe disc 20a to selectively cover or obliterate indicia or markings onthe adjacent portions of the panel face. For example, when the on-oifValve is positioned to supply fuel to the related engine, the continuitymarking on the disc 20a registers with fuel pipe markings on the panel,and the word On engraved in the panel is uncovered while the word Off iscovered by the shield 43, as shown by the dial assembly 42. However,when the valve is positioned to interrupt the supply of fuel to therelated engine, the corresponding dial assembly, for example, the dialassembly 41 of the drawing, assumes a position in which the continuitymarking on the dial disc 20a is out of alignment with therepresentations of the fuel conduits or pipes on the panel and theshield 44 covers the word On While the shield 43 is displaced to uncoverthe word Off Thus, with dial assemblies of the kind represented by thenumerals 4i and 42, the viewer obtains a graphic picture of thecondition of the related valve and the exposed lettering or indiciaprovides a further indication of the valve setting.

Although Fig. l shows a panel and dial assembly having a schematicrepresentation of an aircraft fuel system, it is apparent thatassemblies embodying the present invention may be employed on panelswhich schematically represent any other kinds of systems, for example,electrical or hydraulic systems and the like. Further, dial and panelassemblies embodying the present invention may be employed to goodadvantage in association with potentiometers or tuning condensers andthe like to provide a parallax-free indication of the setting of therelated device.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, a dial and panel assembly adapted forassociation with a potentiometer, tuning condenser and the like is thereillustrated. This assembly includes a panel b, generally similar to thepanel 10 described above, and a dial disc b which is generally similarto the previously described disc 26. lt will be seen that the panel hasa marking 46 engraved thereon adjacent the periphery of the disc Ztlband the latter has a scale or calibration 47 engraved thereon tocooperate with the marking 46 and thereby indicate the setting of theassociated device. Since the front faces of the disc Zilli and panel 10bare co-planar, parallax is avoided and the dial may be accurately readeven when viewed from a location displaced from the axis of the dial.

Further, in order to focus the viewers attention on the indicatingportion of the scale 47 engraved on the disc Zlib, the entire surface ofthe recess and opening in panel 10b receiving the disc 20b is coveredwith an opaque coating 48 (Fig. 4), with the exception of a restrictedarea indicated by the broken line 49 on Fig. 3 which is bare, so that,only within the area defined by theA line 49 adjacent to the marking 46on the panel, light will escape* from the core of the panel into theadjacent portion of the core of the disc 2011. Thus, only the markingsof the scale 47 adjacent the marking 46 of the panel will betransilluminated, and the viewer will not be distracted by illuminationof the other portions of the scale.

Figs. 3 and 4 also illustrate a modified construction which may be usedin place of the pins 27 and 2S of the embodiment in Figs. 1 and 2. Thepins 27b and 28b of Figs. 3 and 4 include a steel body 50 having aslotted head and a steam tapped into the metal disc 24h in back of thedisc Zlib. The stem of the steel body 50 in pin 27b has an extension391) forming a part of the coupling arrangement (not shown) forconnecting the dial to the associated device and which may be the sameas the coupling arrangement of Fig. 2. A sleeve 51, preferably formed of6 aluminum, is provided with a bore through which the pin extends, andthe bore of sleeve 51 is counter-bored at one end to receive the head ofpin 50. When the pin 50 is threaded into the disc 24h, the sleeve 51bears against the front surface of the disc Zlib so that the latter isgripped between the sleeve and the ,disc 24b. The surface of thealuminum sleeve 51 is anodized black to provide a permanent finish oflow specular gloss.

Since the pins 27 and 28 or 27b and 28h are relatively slender andspaced apart, they provide minimal interference to viewing of themarkings on the dial and on the adjacent portions of the panel, whileaffording means by which the dial may be rmly grasped for rotation withthe assorted valve, switch or other device.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail, it is to be understood that the present inventionis not limited to these precise embodiments and that various changes andmodications may be effected without departing from the spirit of scopeof the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A panel and dial assembly comprising a panel having at least onecircular opening therein, a circular dial tting in said opening androtatable in the latter, said dial and panel having cooperating markingsthereon, means preventing axial removal of said dial from said openingwith the front faces of said dial and panel being co-planar so that thecooperating markings on the dial and panel may be viewed withoutparallax, and two slender, elongated members extending axially from saiddial at diametrically opposed locations spaced from the axis of rotationof the dial to be grasped in effecting rotation of the dial Whileproviding minimal linterference to viewing of the cooperating markingson the dial and panel.

2. A panel and dial assembly comprising a panel having at least onecircular opening therein, a device to be actuated mounted behind saidpanel nad having a rotatable shaft in substantial axial alignment withthe center of said opening, a circular dial tting rotatably in saidopening and having a flat front face, means holding said dial axially insaid opening with the front face of said dial co-planar with the frontface of said panel, slender, eloni gated members extending axially inthe forward direction from said dial at locations spaced radially fromthe center of rotation of said dial and adapted to be grasped inrotatably manipulating the dial, axially separable coupling meansbetween said dial and shaft including an extension on one of saidelongated members projecting rearwardly from said dial, and a disc xedon said shaft of the device to be actuated and having a radial slotformed therein to axially receive said extension.

3. A panel and dial assembly comprising a panel having at least onecircular opening therein, a circular dial rotatably fitting in saidopening and having a flat front surface, said dial and panel havingcooperating markings thereon, means holding said dial axially in saidopening with the front surface of the dial co-planar with the frontsurface of said panel so that the cooperating markings on said panel anddial may be viewed without parallax, said panel having other markingsthereon at spaced locations adjacent the edge of said opening, andshield members secured to the front surface of said dial and extendingradially beyond the periphery of the latter to selectively obliteratesaid other markings in different rotated positions of said dial.

4. A panel and dial assembly according to claim 3; further comprisingslender, elongated members extending axially from the front surface ofsaid dial at locations spaced radially from the center of the latter tobe grasped in effecting rotation of the dial while providing minimalinterference to viewing of the cooperating markings on the dial andpanel.

5. A panel and dial assembly comprising a panel having at least onecircular opening therein formed with an enlarged diameterconcentricVrecess at the front thereof, a circular dial fitting lrotatablyin saidopening, said dial having a fiat front surface, said dial and panelhaving cooperating markings on the front surfaces thereof, said dialfurther having Va radial flange bounded by said front surface andfitting rotatably in said enlarged diameter recess to locate said flatfront surface of the dial in the same plane as the front surface of thepanel so that the cooperative markings on the front surfaces of saidpanel and dial may be viewed without parallax, a circular plate disposedin back of said dial and having a diameter greater than the diameter ofsaid opening, and means securing said circular plate to said dial withthe peripheral portion of said plate overlying the back surface of saidpanel so that said liange on the dial and said circular plate cooperateto prevent removal of said dial from said opening, said means securingsaid circular plate to said dial including slender, elongated membersextending axially through said dial at locations spaced radially fromthe center of the latter, said elongated members projecting forwardlyfrom said dial to be grasped in effecting rotation of the latter andbeing threadably engaged in said circular plate to hold the latteragainst the back surface of said dial.

6. An assembly according to claim 5; further comprising a device to beactuated by said dial and having a rotatable actuating shaft, meanssupporting said device in back of said panel with said shaftsubstantially in alignment with the center of said dial, a couplingmember on said shaft and having a radially extending slot therein, andan extension on one of said slender, elongated members projectingaxially in back of said circular plate and engaging in said radial slotto communicate the rotation of said dial to said actuating shaft of thedevice.

7. A panel and dial assembly comprising a panel having at least onecircular opening therein, a circular dial rotatably fitting in saidopening and having a at front surface, means holding said dial in saidopening with the front surface of the dial in planar alignment with thefront surface of said panel, said panel and dial each including a coreof transparent material having a layer of translucent materialsuperposed on at least the front face of the core and a layer of opaquematerial superposed on said translucent layer, said panel and dialhaving openings formed through the opaque layers at the front thereofand exposing portions of the underlying translucent layer which definecooperative markings at the front surfaces of said panel and dial forviewing without parallax, said panel and dial having at least pori tionsof their confronting edges at said circular opening exposed to eachother so that light admitted to said core of the panel is transmitted bythe latter to transilluminate said exposed portions of the translucentlayer of the panel and through said exposed confronting edge portionsinto said ltransparent lcore of the dial to transilluminate at leastthose vexposed portions of-the translucent layer of the dial disposedadjacent the exposed confronting edge portions of the panel and dial,and slender, elongated members extending axially from said dial andprojecting in front of the latter at locations spaced radially from theaxis of rotation of the dial to be grasped for effecting rotation of thelatter.

8. An assembly according to claim 7; including an opaque layer coveringa substantial portion of the edge of said panel confronting the edge ofsaid dial at the opening so that the exposed portions of the translucentlayer of said dial are transilluminated only when said dial is inrotated positions in which said exposed portions of the translucentlayer are remote from the covered portion of the edge of said panel.

9. An assembly according to claim 7; including opaque shield membersmounted on the front surface of said dial and extending radially beyondthe periphery of the latter selectively obliterate certain of saidopenings formed in the opaque layer at the front of said panel.

l0. An assembly according to claim 7; wherein said panel has an enlargeddiameter circular recess at the front and concentric with said opening,and said dial has a radial flange bounded by the front surface of thedial and fitting rotatably in said recess, and said means holding thedial in the opening includes a circular plate disposed in back of saidpanel and having a diameter greater than the diameter of said opening;and wherein said elongated members extend through said dial andthreadably engage in said circular plate to hold the latter to the backsurface of said dial concentric with the latter so that said flange andplate cooperate to prevent removal of said dial from the relatedopening.

ll. An assembly according to claim 10; further comprising a device to beactuated by said dial and including a rotatable actuating shaft, meanssupporting said device in back of said panel with said shaftsubstantially in axial alignment with the center of said dial, acoupling member fixed on said shaft and having a radial slot, and anaxial extension on one of said elongated members projecting behind saidcircular plate and engaging in said radial slot to communicate therotation of said dial to the actuating shaft of the associated device.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,148,975 Agren Feb. 28, 1939 2,231,609 Anderson Feb. 11, 1941 2,517,726Shlenker Aug. l5, 1950 2,596,374 Crapster May 13, 1952 2,604,583 TooreJuly 22, 1952 2,660,824 Neugass Dec. l, 1953

